Washington D.C. Travel Highlights
We are just coming off of a fabulous Fall Break to the beautiful Washington D.C. and while our plans changed quite a bit due to the government shut down, we made the most of our visit and truly explored everything else DC had to offer.
Day 1
Upon our arrival we took a walk to the Washington Monument and were very fortunate to see Marine One landing. That evening we had a wonderful dinner at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab which truly feels like an institution.
Day 2
The second day we woke up and went to the Air and Space Museum which had a great combination of old aircrafts and fascinating history. Thankfully all of the Smithsonian’s were still open the week we were there. One of the shining stars of that museum was the original Wright Brothers airplane which was truly a sight to see.
The next stop was the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Our children really enjoyed the gems and minerals exhibit along with the mammals.
We had an early dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill, which felt like another institution and I was quite surprised with its vast menu and delicious food. They were also extremely accommodating to food allergies which I always appreciate!
We met our tour guide at 6:30 pm and began our Evening Monument tour which started at the World War II Memorial as the sun was setting. I highly recommend this as it was breathtaking! We ventured over to the Jefferson Monument which was also beautiful in the glow of the moon rising. From there we went to the Iwo Jima memorial which I also recommend seeing at night. The next stop was the Albert Einstein monument which children are not only allowed, but encouraged to climb on and rub Einstein’s nose for wisdom. Our next stop was the Vietnam Memorial. From there we went to the Lincoln Memorial (my personal favorite) that when backlit feels so majestic. A fun fact to look for is on the panel of the speech to the right of Lincoln, there is one mistake in the etching in the limestone. The F in “Future” was originally carved as an “E.” The Korean War Memorial was last and gave a somewhat spooky effect at night as one of the 19 statues is always looking at you from every angle as you walk along. It is a touching reverence of the lives lost and I think especially significant that so much space is dedicated to the brave men and women that lost their lives for our country. We ended the tour by walking along the steps of the Capitol and got to see where the Presidential Innaguration takes place. To see the dome of the Capital lit up at night is a sight one will never forget.
Day 3
The next morning we started early with a trip to Mt. Vernon to see the home of George and Martha Washington. It was truly a step back in time for our children to see how people lived back in the 1700’s. They were most impressed how self reliant they were back then with their own blacksmith, cobbler, seamstress, farm, orchard. The thing we all liked most is that the view is the original view thanks to the women of the “”Association who purchased all the land on the other side of the Potomac to preserve the original view that George and Martha would sit and enjoy all those years ago.
From there we continued on to Arlington for a very somber, but important remembrance of our service men and women. Our children particularly enjoyed the changing of the guard ceremony and were shocked to know that happens 24/7 since 1930’s. The eternal flame of JFK was also a beautiful sight to see.
JFK Grave Arlington
That evening we had cocktails at the Waldorf Astoria and a perfect dinner at The Capital Grille. Another institution with delicious food and definitely a political scene.
Day 4
Since we couldn’t visit the White House, we were told to visit the People’s House which is a fabulous option with children and a great reproduction of the White House. The photo ops at the “Resolute Desk” are worth it in and of itself!
We then went to the Smithsonian Museum of American History which has an impressive collection of the early things that have made this country what it is. From early transportation options, to American Innovation, the First Ladies dress and china collections and the original US flags.
We moved hotels from downtown DC over to Georgetown and absolutely loved the Townhouse style residences of our Exclusive Resorts place at the Rosewood. It was incredibly charming and very functional! I also love a hotel with a great bathroom including Dyson hairdryers and an abundance of towels.
That evening we got dressed up and went to Filomena Ristorante which came highly recommended for the home style Italian cuisine and over the top Halloween decorations! Our children loved it! We then went to the Kennedy Center to watch the Stuttgart Ballet perform Onegin! I’d be lying if I don’t admit that the highlights of the Kennedy Center were going up top to take photos before the show began as well as the interactive photo booths in the Kennedy exhibit. The theater was beautiful and the experience very memorable!
Day 5
Thursday began with a VIP tour of the Museum of the Bible! One of our biggest hits of the whole trip! This museum is the most spectacular museum we have ever seen. The building itself is a modern marvel of architecture and technology combined and the artifacts dating back to BC is remarkable. The 7 floors would take 10 days to explore, but we did two floors in just under 3 hours and it really kept the children’s attention. Especially the 3rd floor where they and great reenactment videos and experience of the Old and New Testament as well as an old recreated village with actors that don’t even know what phones are! Our children got a kick out of that part and eve requested to go back once more before we left. This might be one of the best kept secrets of Washington DC and I’m so grateful that we went. They also have a great cafe called Manna on the 6th floor to grab a bite to eat at afterwards. From there we went to the Spy Museum, which our children greatly enjoyed. They do a fantastic job of creating an enhancing experience complete with assigning you your own Spy name, secret word and ongoing facts and clues that keep you going throughout your visit. It was t my person favorite, but I can see why our chicken enjoyed it so much. Lots of great equipment, such as the underwater kayaks used by spies. My middle son’s favorite thing there!
We then went back over to Georgetown to our new favorite coffee shop, Tatte Bakery (try the pistachio oat milk latte!) and walked around Gerogetown’s campus. Now that we have a 7th grader, we always take the time to explore at least one college campus when we are in a new city. The “” building was quite spectacular! We stopped at Georgetown Cupcake as suggested by a friend and loved the Halloween energy that bustles throughout the town! That evening we had cocktails with friends at the Rooftop of the Rosewood called CUT Above which had spectacular views of the Potomac and landing aircraft’s for any air aficionados. Our dinner was at the highly recommended Café Milano which was just as fabulous for the food as the see and be seen culture! Probably our favorite restaurant of the trip!
Day 6
Friday started off with a tour of the Burea of Engraving and Printing, where they make our United States currency. It was a fascinating behind the scenes look at what goes into making our US dollars. We witnessed the $100 billion being printed and it is a site to see, but obviously no pictures allowed. The neatest thing is that you can actually purchase large sheets of dollar bill in different denominations. We purchased a sheet of 32 $2 bills as well as $5’ and $10’s. Fun fact that you can cut the money yourself and use it, but most frame it as a keepsake.
We did one last walk around the Washington Monument and the Mall looking towards the Lincoln Monument before heading to the National Cathedral. It almost looks like the Notre Dame in Washington DC. This church is absolutely stunning and while you must pay an entry fee for a self guided tour, they provide a fun scavenger hunt for the children that kept mine entertained! I think it’s a must see! From there we went to the Smithsonian Zoo to see the Panda’s and it ended up being such a highlight! The two pandas were out and active and it was a very clean and well thought out space. It’s the first Zoo I’ve ever been to that charges no admission! If you have the time, I highly recommend, especially if traveling with young children to break things up a bit. That evening we had dinner at Fiola Mare, an elegant seafood restaurant on the water overlooking the Kennedy Center. If you are a fan of Lobster Ravioli, this chef got a Michelin star at his original restaurant for this dish, and tweaked it a bit for this new concept. We ended the evening with an after dinner drink at the rooftop at the Rosewood and reminisced on all of our favorite things we did. Obviously we will be back to visit the White House and Capitol which we were not able to do this trip due to the shutdown, and we look forward to that occasion!
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